Modern humans 'evolved on S Africa/Namibian border'

New research suggests that the modern human species first evolved in southern Africa, probably near what is now South Africa's border with Namibia.

Writing in the journal Science, the researchers say modern humans then migrated north to the Red Sea region.

The researchers spent 10 years collecting over 4 million gene samples from more than 120 population groups in Africa.

Among their findings was that Africa has more genetic variation than any other continent, and what is known as the Cape Coloured population in South Africa has the highest levels of mixed ancestry in the world.

They also found that nearly three quarters of African-Americans can trace their ancestry to west Africa.

The scholars say their study will help to determine why diseases have a bigger impact on some groups than others and could uncover ways to counter them.

Since the airing of the gut-wrenching documentary Leaving Neverland, many of us have wrestled with an uncomfortable, yet essential question: given everything we know, can we continue listening to Michael Jackson's music?